The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1887-01-05
THE GOOD OLDDAYS
An Old Settlers "reminiscences of AppIe.
Butter Mailing and "Flannel-Kick-
ing"

ed among the settlers away back, all of |
them born of necessity. But there were
two that prevailed in Coshocton, the
county in which l was raised. in the |
great old State of Ohio, that seems to
have been overlooked or probably
entirely forgatten. One of them was
apple butter boiling and the other was
flanneLkickirg Talk about the fun
they had at apple-cuttings. corn-husk-
ings, quiltinS, etc, but for genuine,
uproarious fan flannel-kicking would
knock them al out in one round. Every
new house hsl its old one, which was
left standing, generally in close proxi-
nifty to the new, which was used for all
manner of Purposes. The old-fashion-
ed loom. which almost every thrifty
farmer possessed, was set up there.
The big broad fireplace, five or six feet
wide, with is big crane on which to
hang heavy kettles and pots, was al
ways in order and was used when boil
ing the apph butter, large copper
kettle always being used for the pur-
pose. But few families could afford the
luxury OF large copper kettle, conse-
quenty one served large neigh5or-
hood, going the rounds every apple
butter season,
The log iouse was usually but one
large room. 1t took two couples to boil
apple butter-always two fellows with
their best girls. 1t required constant
stirring and board about five inches
wide by aboit two feet long, with holes
bored through it, and handle about
l,,,rr hot ho fo1l Nd
his best gin could handle it easily.
While they stirred the other couple
were having a most delightful time off
in one cornet of the room, there being
no light except a dim, religious one
from the fire. OF course, they changed
places quite frequently, for the couple at
the handle ould not endure that kind
of thing any great length of time. know
ing what a high old time the other
couple were having away of in tho
corner. They were being deprived of
their opportunities. This thing usually
lasted all night, and as rule the little
party were not interrupted by meddlers
and they had q blissful season free from
the rude gaze of any one.
But the Gowning glory, the boss
fun, was the hannel-kicking. As have
before stated, almost every old house
had its loom, on which the women wove
flannels- linay woolsey, cassinets. and
linen. sigh for the days when l used
to wear this homemade linen. Pillow
slips, sheets, shirts, pants, and short
tailed roundsbouts all made off the
same piece d goods. There were nc
long-tailed summer coats in those days.
This linen was stout and if boy, OF
even a good-sized man, caught the seal
| of his pants on splinter in climbing 9
rail fence or on nail he hung there
1t would hold him every time.
'.The flannel was usually woven ii
webs, or pieces of thirty or forty yards
and of course it had to be fulled befor,
it was in proper condition to be mad
up into garments. Pulling mills were
thing almost unheard of in that countr,
} at that time, and some way must b
devised to thicken up or full the flannel
and they did it to perfection. l hav
attended many kicking" and M
recollection Of them is as vivid as if
had occurred but q year ago.
} 'The boys and girls of the neighbol
hoed-which took in . range of sewers
mlles-were notified that on a certai
, evening they we're going to have flaE
mel kicking, and it needed no urging
> gather in enough to make up party
The flannel was placed in a loose pill
in the middle of the foor-usually
3 that same old log house-chairs wei
. placed around it, forming complea
circle. The boys and girls filed th
3 chairs, and then q plow line or rof
l was passed around the outside of tt
Q chairs, drawn through the backs, I
l hold them in position. OF course Il
: performers all faced towards the fanne
: The boys, with thear trousers rolled q
d above their knees; and the girls-we
q girls in those days were not incumbere
8 with as much undertoggery a thu
t wear now.
q --Soapsuds- hot as the operato
d could possibly bear it-were then pou
/ ed on the flannel, and then the IL
}. commenced in dead earnest, every OF
G kicking the pile sf faDnel for dear Il
It tho boys laughing and yelling. q
2 girls screaming, and the soapsuds spii
= ing up and out in reckless prodigalit
: When the suds became absorbed ~
# began to cool, more hot suds was pou
q ed on, and then . fresh outburst
g kicking and spirtiMg. laughing, u
70 screaming began, their feet and le
}, looking a. red ~ Boiled lobsterA
d This usually lasted about thr
E hours. tho old folks pouring on the b
d soapsuds and looking on and enjoyil
ID the thisg about as much as the young
}. ones Il was rare fun. and the writ
, Of this article remembers it better th'
IT almost anything else in the way
il parties in his young days. OF coul
d the work was not SO well done as it
y nowadays in the mills, but it answer
10 the purpose. and everybody was sat
i fed with it Alas, for the days tt
n will never come back. the days VIII
of all these customs prevailed in Coshoct
IS County"